In the spirit....

Happy Halloween to you, and may the joys of autumn continue!

Almost here....

                                                   "On Halloween"

                                                     The witches fly

                                                     Across the sky.

                                                The owls go "Who? Who? Who?"

                                                 The black cats yowl

                                                  And the green ghosts howl,

                                                 "Scary Halloween to you!"

                                                                          Nina Willis Walter

Give these a try....

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes!  All you need are three ingredients - a box of spice cake mix, a can of pumpkin (not pie fillling), and a 1/2 cup of cinnamon chips.  Mix together, spoon into a paper-lined muffin pan, and bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  Makes twelve.  Enjoy!

A week-end treat....

A lovely English breakfast....

Truly delicious!

October tradition....

Always a favorite sign along the highway....

....and the traditional Homecoming welcome.

Mounds of yellow chrysanthemums adorn the campus for Homecoming week-end.  Many friends were present, offering great times for conversation about happenings through the years!

Sunday, October 26, 2014....

May love, joy, and peace surround you on this day.

October continues....

As seen from the moving car....a little fall - after all!

On a Friday in October.....

Seen at a Virginia rest area....

Happy week-end!

Life....

....sometimes becomes a bit hectic. LOL  Much of the time, it is my own doing. :-)  Currently, it seems to be a cooperative project - my own doing, and some that isn't under my control.  Consequently, I really need to take some time away from the blog.  Maybe even time away from reading other blogs.  I will hope to return, however, so - until then - take care of yourselves, celebrate life, and may love, joy, and peace surround you!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Time out....

.....for some reading to set the mood.

Have a good week-end!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Very quickly....

That's how I had to act to take these very few pictures of the pottery at the Pottery House Cafe.  There were lunchtime diners seated at tables very near the displays on the shelving, and I really didn't want to intrude upon them any more than I was already.

It is easy to see the variety of pieces that are available.  Really unique work!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

On the menu....

No mention was made of the menu at the Pottery House Cafe in the previous post.  The selections were about the usual for restaurants in the surrounding area, including things such as catfish, chicken tenders, a variety of quiches, salads, and soups. 

Of course, I failed to take a picture of my plate when it was served.  I chose the chicken salad with an iceberg lettuce wedge, trimmed with walnuts, dried cranberries, and bleu cheese and served with a slice of their delicious cinnamon raisin bread!  The serving was very ample, and half of it came home with me. 

The chicken salad reminded me of the one I make.  I think I have featured it on the blog before, but here is a "rerun."

CHICKEN SALAD FILLING
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise (or to taste)
- Blend all together.  Refrigerate.  1 1/2 cups (enough for 4 or 5 sandwiches, perhaps)

May this be a good Wednesday for you. 

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

On the road - again!

Happy Tuesday to you!  Did you have a good Monday?

We were "on the road" again, this time to a town a little less than an hour and a half away. The occasion?  A surprise lunch to help with an early celebration of my niece's 40th birthday!  Yes, it was great fun!  She was surprised!  Great job, Sister!

Some pictures around the restaurant follow:

The Pottery House Cafe in Pigeon Forge is a unique spot.  Check out what is written on the cover of their menu.

Yes, they do all of the above!  I will share some pictures of the pottery another day!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.  

And - another week begins....

Whew!  Where did the week-end go?  Did it seem to pass as quickly for you as it did for me? 

It was a busy one here.  There was once more an out-of-town overnight journey as the Conference United Methodist Women Executive Committee held our last meetings for this calendar year.  While it is not a great distance to the town where these meetings were held, the driving time was complicated by heavy traffic and rain - also heavy at times.  It was with a huge sigh of relief to arrive safely - both at the meeting site, and then as I returned home.

I've been missing from some of your blogs for a few days.  Where I was staying did have Internet connections, though apparently the signal wasn't consistent, and I wasn't able to access your blogs to read or make a comment.  

I know there are those of you who are not sports fans.  This week-end it was possible to choose between baseball and football for us here.  The American League and the National League are in the midst of their Championship playoffs, and the Kansas City Royals return to their home field later today playing host to the Baltimore Orioles.  KC has the lead in the series two games to none.  The San Francisco Giants, playing in St. Louis, won the first game of the series, and St. Louis has won the second, so that series is even.

On the football front, the hometown Volunteers were able to come up with a win against Chattanooga.  That gives a record of three wins and two losses thus far for the season.  My alma mater continues to be undefeated with a win on Saturday!

That rain that I mentioned earlier?  Well, it has continued off and on most of the week-end, and there is not expected to be much of a break for a day or two.  In fact, some very stormy conditions are expected to arrive by tomorrow!   The recent rainfall has been measured by the weather station as 2 3/4 inches, bringing our rainfall deficit for the year to about 5 1/2 inches.

There are a few things on the calendar around here that will be keeping me busy for the coming week.  I'm not sure if I will be able to post on this blog on a regular basis, and I'm also not sure about being able to keep up with your blog, either.  Never fear!  I am hopeful to be back on a regular routine before too long.

Hopefully you have no need to visit the Post Office or take care of any banking business today.  We are honoring the memory of Christopher Columbus, you know.  Some of you who are still employed may even have a day off work!

I leave you with a wish for a good week - wherever you are. 

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments. 

Sunday, October 12, 2014....

Once again, from Apples of Gold, compiled by Jo Petty, we find these words:

          "God never makes us conscious of our weakness except to give us of His strength."

From the United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar for 2014, the Mission Focus for today is the Wesley-Rankin Community Center, Dallas, Texas. 

On this day may you be surrounded by love, joy, and peace.

Saturday....

Well, the week-end is here.  Do you have some good plans for fun, or have you filled your week-end with chores?  

If you have been following this blog very long, you know that I am active in the United Methodist Women.  Every two years, our Conference selects a new scripture reference to use for a theme.  I make an effort to find some things to use on the Program Resource tables (where I display the books) at Conference events through the year (four times).  

The scripture reference/theme has been chosen for the next two years.  It comes from John 21:15, and the logo will include the wording: "Do you love me?  Feed my lambs."

I have been on the lookout for a few things for the tables and have found these in different locations.

I will share the entire logo with you another time.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Oops!

Well, happy Friday to everyone!  I'd say I probably need a week-end. LOL  I have forgotten to do a blog post for today!:-)

Progress continues around here readying for the Autumn season.

Seasonal gourds always make a good display.

It's always nice to use one's own harvest for a table decoration.

So - slowly we are setting a mood for Autumn around here.

I send along wishes for a good week-end to you!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

In costume....

....and ready to sing!

The Women's Chorus, of which I am a member, rehearses at the Senior Center.  A word of clarification may be necessary here.  There are no residents at the Senior Center.  This is one of the centers that is run by the county where various activities are available for seniors.  There are opportunites for cards, art, computer instruction, line dancing, various exercise classes, and other classes that are of interest to seniors.  The chorus is based there, and participants come from all around town to be a part of this group.

So - our director puts us "on the road," and we serve as ambassadors for the center as we travel around the area.

This season, our performance schedule includes eight appearances, and the season is well-underway.  

The UT hat is donned when we sing "Rocky Top," and there is a visor - either red or blue - that is given to us when we sing the medley to the Armed Forces.  

From "Will I See You in September" to "Thankful," we provide about 45 minutes of musical entertainment!  We cover Autumn, football season, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and maybe a bit of Halloween all in one program.

I know Betty from Australia (Gum Leaves) sings in a choir.  Do any of you sing in a group?  What is your favorite song for this season?

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Wednesday....

Happy Wednesday!  I hope your week is going well for you! 

Sometimes I have pictures for you, and sometimes I don't.:-)  Today is one of the "don't" times.

In an earlier blog, I shared some pictures with you of some pumpkins that had "volunteered" in the garden via the compost.  The Husband has harvested these pumpkins, and over the week-end, one of them was baked!  It was cut down the middle, the seeds removed, then placed cut side down onto a parchment covered baking sheet.  After about 30 minutes or so baking at 375 degrees, we tested it by slight touch to see how tender it might feel.  We left it a little bit longer, but it wasn't long before it was ready.  The best pumpkin juice baked out of it!  I have used it for sweetening cooked apples! We transferred the pumpkin halves to another place for cooling.  After it cooled, we peeled the skin right off of it!  So - we have been having a "Pumpkin Fest!"  Here is a recipe I want to share with you.

PUMPKIN MUFFINS

1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup pumpkin
!/4 cup oil
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup seedless raisins
- Beat egg slightly with fork.  Stir in milk, pumpkin, and oil.  Blend dry ingredients; stir in just until flour is moistened.  Batter should be lumpy.  Fold in raisins.  Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full.  Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon sugar over each muffin.  Bake at 400 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes.  Yield: 12 muffins.

We have had rain here this week and estimate perhaps a total of around 2 1/2 inches!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

There was more....

The last of the previous post shared a single picture taken at the local Senior Center.  There are more displays for the season there.

It is apparent that there is a good storage closet at the Senior Center!  The staff does a good job of keeping the surroundings festive.

Not overly festive here, yet, but we're working on it!:-)

Have a good Tuesday!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Snippets from the week-end....

The first full week of October begins today.  Do you have something good planned during the week?

How was your first October week-end?

We watched a baseball game on Friday night.  The St. Louis Cardinals were in Los Angeles to play the Dodgers.  When I was growing up, a local radio station had coverage of many of the Dodger games, and I became a fan.  That was when they were in Brooklyn, though, and when they moved to LA I sort of lost touch.  The score of Friday night's game?  St. Louis - 10; LA - 9.  The Dodgers did win the next one on Saturday.  

A blogging friend, Beth, from Day by Day with Beth Marie, is a Cardinal fan, and I know she was happy with that Friday night score.  By the way, Beth will begin a series of radiation treatments soon, and I know she would appreciate our thoughts and prayers.

Saturday afternoon we watched a football game on TV.  The University of Tennessee Vols hosted the Florida Gators.  Final score of that game - Florida - 10; the Vols - 9!  See any similarity in the score from the baseball game on Friday night?  

Our area Homebuilders Association has begun the annual Parade of Homes.  The Husband and I went touring a few of them on Sunday afternoon.  It is difficult to find newly-constructed homes on one level, and stairs are not something I seek out these days.:-)  We built this one-level house ten years ago, and I think it is time to give a few areas a facelift, perhaps.:-)

Also, it is time to pull out the October "trimmings" and set the mood for what is ahead this month.  Viewed at the Senior Center recently was this:

I think they are in the mood!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Sunday, October 5, 2014....

Today is World Communion Sunday, and it is observed in the United Methodist Church.

Once again from Apples of Gold, compiled by Jo Petty, we have these words.  You will undoubtedly recognize them.

                    "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

                              the courage to change the things I can;

                                    and the wisdom to know the difference."

Reinhold Niebuhr is the author of these words, the beginning verse of what is known as the Serenity Prayer.

From the United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar for 2014, today's Mission Focus is Israel/Palestine:  Wadi Fukin Community Development Project, West Bank.  Janet Lahr Lewis is the missionary, General Board of Global Ministries, serving Palestine.  From page 83 in the Prayer Calendar, we are given this information:  As part of the Global Ministries sponsored Community Development Project in the village of Wadi Fouqin (Fukin), a joint basket-weaving project has been embarked upon with women from Sindyanna of Galilee in Israel coming to instruct the local Palestinian women the traditional art of basket weaving.  An interfaith initiative funded by international Christians for Muslim Palestinian women in the occupied West Bank, an organization administered by Israeli Jews is also a partner in this endeavor.  The baskets are items available in tourist shops, and the income from their sale will help provide much needed income to the families in Wadi Fouqin who are living under occupation.

I have been referring to Apples of Gold regularly in recent months.  The book takes each of the characteristics mentioned in the fruit of the Spirit reference in Galatians 5:22-23 and gives quotes that elaborate on each of these - love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.  This is particularly meaningful to me as this has been my Conference United Methodist Women theme for the past two years.

So, my wish for you is that you may be surrounded by love, joy, and peace on this day. 

Recent views.....

On a recent trip to North Carolina, this was seen at the Welcome Area.

As you can see, colors of fall were at a minimum.  After this rain that we have had already this week-end - and the cooler temperatures that are predicted (38 degrees for a low temperature on Sunday morning) - more color may begin appearing in the leaves on these very green trees.

It is difficult to know whether we should follow football or baseball at this time of year.:-)  Which is your favorite sport?  Do you have a favorite team playing this week-end? 

Sending wishes for a good week-end to you!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Taking a break....

....from the usual Friday book posts to share some pictures with you from near Asheville in North Carolina.

These flowers were in bloom along I-40, just to the west of Asheville.

There were some interesting clouds around, and a drizzle of rain was their "gift."

The beauty in the median of Route #276.

The signs of autumn's presence were spotty, though mornings were cool.

How is autumn progressing where you are?

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.  

When in Asheville....

....don't miss the chocolate!

These truffles are from The Chocolate Fetish, a bright, sparkling shop filled with other truffles - and other chocolate treats.

From French Broad Chocolate Lounge comes this chocolate cake with olive oil as an ingredient!  It came with a cup of strawberry sauce!  Delicious!  The cup of dark hot chocolate disappeared before a picture could be taken!:-)

What is your favorite chocolate treat?

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Finally....

....there is some soup in those special bowls!

It was time for Vegetable Soup, and that was a perfect choice to "christen" these pumpkin bowls for the season!

VEGETABLE SOUP

3/4 cup chopped potato

2 cups vegetable, chicken, or beef broth

1 can sliced carrots, drained and rinsed

1 can zucchini with tomato sauce

1 can tomatoes with basil and oregano

- Cook potato in broth until tender, about 15 minutes.  Add other ingredients; heat to a simmer.  

Four generous servings!

You may have seen this recipe from me before - or something similar.  I have often used canned potatoes (which I chop), but this time I used the potatoes we had from the garden.

I am having just a bit of difficulty making it on my blogging rounds, and I hope you will bear with me until I am able to get back to keeping up with you!

China - Vineyard by Noritake, now discontinued

Pumpkin bowls - Williams Sonoma several years ago

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.